The Dog Meat Trade: A Severe and Prevalent Animal Welfare Concern

The dog meat trade is arguably the most severe companion animal welfare issue in the region. The availability of dog meat is most widespread in Asia, where the welfare concern is greatest due to the large numbers of dogs being stolen from owners, taken from the streets or sourced from farms, transported long distances and inhumanely slaughtered.

Numerous investigations throughout Asia have documented the severe cruelty inherent in all stages of the dog meat trade- sourcing, transport, sale and slaughter:

Sourcing

Dogs are often sourced from the streets either through catching roaming dogs or by stealing pets. The dogs are caught using iron pincers, which are clamped around the neck or leg, and then used to drag and lift the dogs into trucks. “Dog napping” (i.e. stealing pet dogs) has become a growing issue in many countries, including Vietnam.

Transport

Dogs are often transported long distances, sometimes on journeys lasting for days. They are usually tightly packed into cages without food, water or rest, and often suffering from diseases and injuries from rough handling. Many dogs die from suffocation, dehydration or heatstroke long before they reach their destination.

Sale and slaughter

The dogs’ journey ends at a slaughterhouse, market or restaurant. Slaughtering methods vary between countries, provinces, slaughterhouses and restaurants, but include bludgeoning with a heavy metal pipe, having their throats slit, or being stabbed in the chest with a large knife. This often happens in full view of other dogs.